By Catherine Wolf, KWMU
St. Louis, MO –
Members of a new Pew Charitable Trusts group are predicting more international conflicts over natural resources they say are threatened by climate change.
The Pew Project on National Security, Energy and Climate held its first forum at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis Thursday.
Retired Vice Admiral Dennis McGinn leads a group of admirals and generals who study energy and national security. He says higher temperatures from climate change could lead to water and food shortages, and more wars.
"Because we anticipate these situations could become more frequent and more widespread, we need to start doing something about preventing, adapting and mitigating the effects of climate change as much as we can now."
McGinn says the United States should invest in more renewable energy sources to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Former Republican Senator John Warner of Virginia is a member of the project. He says the government must pass legislation to limit carbon dioxide emissions.
"It is global, and therefore it's time for the United States to take a leadership role and join the body of nations to do what we can do to attenuate the CO2."
Warner says individuals also have a responsibility to limit personal energy use.
The Pew group will hold additional forums throughout the country in coming months.